I usually download my photos directly to an external hard drive (E) and then import them into Lightroom. I am planning a trip and am concerned about not having this external drive with me for a week as I attend a photo tour. How safe is it to travel with an external hard drive? I have a cushioned travel case made for this purpose but haven’t used it yet. I realize it’s another item to pack and half-pound for my weight limit, but otherwise, am I better off to just save my photos to my laptop’s hard drive (C) and move them to the external drive when I return home? I will not erase any of my memory cards until I return and are sure they are on the external drive.

My other concern is accessing the images from my C drive (laptop) instead of my E drive (external hard drive) in Lightroom. Can I just transfer them (their folder) back to E upon my return through Lightroom or am I looking for trouble? I hope this is clear.

I’m looking for a pocket or belt pouch sized camera to replace/complement a Canon bridge camera and DSLR to use for more convenient picture taking while traveling. I’m tired of lugging the bigger ones around.
I’ve looked at:
Canon G5x, G7x, G9x;
Sony hx99, RX100 VII
Panasonic ZS70, ZS80, ZS100, ZS200.
I’ve researched until my brain is tired and confused, and I’m wondering if any of you have some real life experience with any of these with recommendations. Most of my travel pictures are taken outside and I’d prefer a decent optical zoom, 1” sensor, raw capability etc. but I’m open to any good options. Budget can expand for the right camera.

Christmas is acoming and my better half is looking for a copla of these drives for her pics. As wildlife photographers we tend to accumulate a large quantity on our sorties into great outdoors, especially her. She tends to shoot 2 or 3 more than I. In fact on our latest trip to the western Wildlife Refuges she came home with over 15,000 snaps!!
So could youse fine ladies and gentlemen give me some suggestions on what are the better ones. I contemplated on going with external ssd’s but to me the prices are a wee bit too much. The average price of over $200 for a 1T and close to $400 for a 2T is a bit much. Especially when you can get a regular 5T for less than $200. Hell, for the price of 1 1T WD Passport @ $250 (on sale for $230) I can buy 2 or 3 regular drives of the same size.
She’s at present a Mac Lady running about a 3 years old one so something good with this system would be necessary.
So I’d appreciate some ideas on some reliable suggestions.
Thanking you

LittleRed (Ron)

Several days ago I posted the color photo of this old barn near Ellensburg, Wa. with the note that it would soon be converted to black & white. So, here's the result. Both have a mild sepia tone and adjustments to the clouds and various tones. There are some issues with banding in the sky and that will be worked on, but am unsure how to proceed with its removal at this point. Be that as it may, I'm liking the results so far. Hopfully you do too. Comments are always welcome. Good, bad, or otherwise. Ken